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THE DONNELLY Group has completed the purchase of Shaws Citroen – one of Bangor’s most respected car dealerships.

It becomes the ninth Donnelly Group location in Northern Ireland and the first in the County Down town.

The group – which is Northern Ireland’s largest family-owned new and used vehicle retailer – has also announced that it will open a Honda franchise on the site, which is on the corner of Green Road and the Bangor-Newtownards carriageway, from November 1 and will introduce Donnelly Motorstore, offering access to more than 2,000 used vehicles.

All 19 Shaws’ employees will join the Donnelly Group, with Michael Shaw staying as general sales manager, ensuring a continuity of service. Paul Compton, who has been with the Donnelly Group for more than 10 years, becomes site director in addition to overseeing operations at the Donnelly Group dealership in Boucher Road, Belfast.

Donnelly Group managing director Dave Sheeran said: ‘There are many synergies between Shaws and the Donnelly Group that made this an attractive acquisition.

‘Both are family businesses with a long history of customer excellence and – like the Donnelly Group – Shaws has a strong and loyal customer base who will continue to be served by the same dedicated team.

‘I’d like to welcome the Bangor team to the Donnelly Group family, which now encompasses more than 750 employees and represents 18 manufacturers.’

Compton said: ‘While we have showrooms across Northern Ireland we felt we needed a presence in Bangor, making it easier for our North Down customers to avail themselves of our province-wide sales offering and aftersales services.

‘We look forward to bringing the Donnelly Group way of doing business to the motorists of Bangor, North Down and the Ards Peninsula.’

Michael Shaw, who now becomes general sales manager at Donnelly Group Bangor, said: ‘Shaws was established in 1926 and relocated to the current premises some 30 years ago. The team and I are delighted to be joining the Donnelly Group.

‘The arrival of the Donnelly Group is fantastic news for motorists in the local area as we welcome the Honda franchise that will complement our Citroen range. The introduction of Donnelly Motorstore will ensure that we will now be the premier site in Bangor for new and used vehicles.

‘I’d like to thank all our customers down the years and assure them that under the Donnelly Group we will continue to offer the motoring public an exceptional sales and aftersales service. I look forward to seeing all our customers soon at our newly branded showroom.’

Pictured at top from left are Paul Compton, Dave Sheeran, director Raymond Donnelly and Michael Shaw